Wireless Automotive Sensor Power Management via Precursor Motion Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing satellite sensors in vehicles rely on heavy and costly wiring harnesses for power, and energy harvesting devices that are not viable for all sensor locations, complicating motion sensing and increasing vehicle weight and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A low-power MEMS sensor system that uses a local energy storage device to power a satellite sensor only when precursor motions are detected, eliminating the need for a wiring harness and energy harvesting, and enabling wireless communication with the vehicle's electronic control unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wiring harness is used to provide power to satellite sensors, then reliable power supply is achieved, but vehicle weight and system complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidvehicle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power delivery function from the vehicle's main wiring harness system and implements it locally at the sensor module using an energy harvesting device. This eliminates the need for dedicated power wires between the battery and individual sensors, removing the harmful wiring harness infrastructure while maintaining power supply reliability through local energy conversion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Weight of moving object

If an energy harvesting device is used to power satellite sensors, then vehicle weight is reduced, but the sensor must be mounted in locations that provide necessary motion which complicates sensing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle weightVSAvoidsensor location flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a universal energy harvesting mechanism that can function effectively across multiple sensor mounting locations and vehicle configurations. The harvesting device is designed to convert various forms of vehicle motion (vibrations, accelerations, rotations) into electrical energy, making it adaptable to sensors mounted on different vehicle components without requiring location-specific customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If energy harvesting devices are used to power sensors, then wiring harness complexity is reduced, but the system requires motion that may complicate the sensing of the sensor's target measurand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewiring harness complexityVSAvoidsensing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sensing and energy harvesting functions into separate, independent modules. The sensor module contains the measurement elements optimized for detecting target measurands (such as gas composition or temperature), while the energy harvesting module separately converts vehicle motion into power. This functional segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, preventing motion-induced interference from affecting measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If satellite sensors operate continuously, then monitoring coverage is maintained, but power consumption increases requiring larger energy storage or more frequent recharging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring coverageVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic sampling of the measured parameter rather than continuous monitoring. The sensor takes measurements at predetermined time intervals, allowing the system to maintain adequate monitoring coverage while dramatically reducing average power consumption. This periodic operation enables the use of smaller energy storage devices or less frequent recharging cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution reduces vehicle weight and complexity by eliminating the need for wiring harnesses and energy harvesting devices, allowing the satellite sensor system to operate for extended periods without external power input, while maintaining effective motion sensing and safety system control.

Implementation Method 1

monitoring, using the low-power MEMS sensor, at least one motion of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMEMS (Microelectromechanical Systems): Microelectromechanical Systems

Implementation Method 2

powering a low-power MEMS sensor from a from a local energy storage device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy storage in battery: Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentUS9168885B2Method for power management of wireless automotive modules

Publication Date: 2015.10.27 ANALOG DEVICES INC

AI summary

A satellite sensor system for a vehicle includes an application motion sensor for sensing vehicle motion for the purpose of activating a vehicle safety system, a low power consumption motion sensor for monitoring vehicle motion when the vehicle is parked or otherwise not in a driving mode, and an RF communications interface to allow the satellite sensor system to communicate with the vehicle's electronics control unit. The system withholds power from the application sensor until the low power consumption motion sensor indicates that the vehicle is about to enter a driving mode.